Resumen

A common mutation C677T in methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene, involved in the metabolism of homocysteine, has been suggested to play a role in increasing cardiovascular disease risk. In order to facilitate the obtainment of population data, the objective of this work was improve its PCR detection. Leucocytes DNA purification alternative protocols were tested and a new low cost method of NaCl precipitation was developed. The composition of PCR mixture was also tested and it defined that the concentration of deoxynucleotides, primers and Taq DNA polimerase could be reduced in a half. The final volume of PCR mixture was reduced to 15 µL, enabling the utilization of the same tube to amplification and HinfI digestion processes, avoiding extra steps. The significance of cardiovascular disease in populational data and the possibility of involvement of this mutation as risk factor of precocious ACD (arterial cardiovascular disease) justify this work.